reticent

[ret-uh-suhnt] / ˈrɛt ə sənt /

ADJECTIVE

secretive, quiet

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bashful hesitant mum reserved restrained shy silent taciturn

WEAK

clammed up close close-mouthed dried-up dummied up tight-lipped uncommunicative unforthcoming unspeaking uptight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

communicative confident extroverted outgoing talkative unreserved unshy

WEAK

forward unrestrained

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Manufacturers increasingly reported bottlenecks, while retailers grew concerned that consumers will be more reticent due to rising inflation, it said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

She's reticent to stray too far from food.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Disney’s struggles with succession over the decades have become epic dramas filled with false starts, larger-than-life leaders reticent to go and allegations of hollow searches for a new CEO.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

Chappell is actually the alter-ego of the more reticent Kayleigh Amstutz.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

The reluctant bride was reticent when asked to say “I do. ”

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Vocabulary lists containing reticent

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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Grade 12, List 1

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Dracula

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